PICKERING Town's bid to claw back Northern Counties East League premier division leaders Alfreton was severely jolted in a bizarre game at the Recreation Ground.

Visitors Armthorpe ended the stormy clash with just eight men to Pikes' ten, but still they defended stoically to win 2-1.

After having one man red-carded for a foul another was given his marching orders as was Pikes' Adam Wash after a tangle.

By that time Pikes trailed 2-0 to a brace of Dave Roden goals. The visitors then retreated to their own 18-yard box for a rearguard action that was breached just once in the 82nd minute when Danny Farthing scored. In the final minute a third Armthorpe player was dismissed.

Now Pickering have to haul themselves up for tomorrow's League Cup first round tie at Glasshoughton for which Dean McAuley has been added to the squad.

Said Pikes' boss Jimmy Reid: "We had plenty of possession, but never got the ball in their box quick enough.

"Now we have to make sure we keep the cup run alive."

It was a bad day too for Selby Town at Brodsworth, where they fell to a similarly damaging premier division defeat.

The Robins looked in control until the 24th minute when a speculative lob by Paul Haywood was misjudged by goalkeeper Craig Code to give Brodsworth the lead.

Five minutes later the Selby defence failed to clear a cross and Gareth Collinson scrambled the ball home.

Visiting woe deepened a minute before half-time when Ben Waud was sent off for dissent.

In the second-half Selby forced Brodsworth 'keeper Paul Setterfield into good saves from Matty Wain and Mike Amos.

With all substitutes used the Robins played the last 15 minutes with nine men when Pat Render went off injured, Brodsworth wrapping up the points with a goal from Mark Almunshi before Selby's scant consolation from Peter Collier.

Harrogate Town's UniBond League first division march continued with a 4-1 win at Ossett Albion.

After twice being pegged back Town sealed the points with goals in the last five minutes from Robbie Whellans and Michael Ord after earlier strikes from Craig Elliott and Ord.

Elsewhere, weekend rain washed out a flurry of games.

Among the casualties were Scarborough's Conference League clash at home to Boston, whose trip north was halted just an hour before kick-off as the rains swamped the McCain Stadium.

Also falling foul of the deluge were Harrogate Railway's NCEL premier division fixture at home to Denaby United; Tadcaster Albion's NCEL first division visit of Louth United to Ings Park; and Nestl Rowntree's West Yorkshire League premier division hike to Armley Athletic.

Updated: 12:10 Monday, February 11, 2002